Marwan killed at close range – MILF Mamasapano report

MANILA, Philippines — The investigation by the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) on the Mamasapano incident showed that the “fatal shot” that hit Zulkifli bin Hir also known as “ Marwan” was fired at close range while he was lying on the floor.

Marwan was one of two targets of  the police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left  44  members of   the Philippine National Police -Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), 17  MILF men and  three other civilians dead. The other target was suspected  bomber Abdul Basit Usman, who escaped.

A 35-page report of the MILF submitted to the Senate on Tuesday said that during the ocular inspection, the MILF’s Special Investigative Commission that conducted the investigation found that there were few  bullet holes on the wall of the hut where Marwan was found and killed.

“The trajectory of the  bullets also indicate that the fatal shot did not come from   the shots fired outside the  house as the bullet holes are roughly 18 inches above the floor,”  it said.

“If the shots were fired while Marwan was lying down,  he could not have been hit while  if he was standing and engaged  the  elements of the SAF in  firefight, the injuries sustained should have been at  his lower body and  not  on the chest.”

“There are also no bullet holes on the floor of the hut. In all likelihood, the fatal shot must have been fired at close range and while Marwan was lying on the floor,” the  report said.

The MILF report also noted that the area near the hut, there were no indications of bomb explosions as  there were no craters on the  ground around the  hut.

“Neither is there an indication of an intense firefight in or around the hut,” it said.

The MILF repeatedly denied protecting Marwan and Usman. AC